Honoring Gunnar at 16.5 Years Old: A Legacy of Loyalty, Joy, and Quiet Bravery
Gunnar, a gentle, cuddly soul with a quietly hilarious streak, has been a steady presence through every twist and turn of life for over 16 years. From chasing trails with unfiltered joy to pronking like a little deer off leash, his spirit remains as vibrant as ever. Gunnar began his journey with Leap Years® a year ago, and his family has noticed meaningful shifts, more awareness, more connection, and those little sparks of curiosity returning. To celebrate all that he is, his pet parent shared a window into the routines, quirks, and unwavering love that make Gunnar so unforgettable.
Q&A with Gunnar’s Pet Parent
These responses reflect Gunnar’s pet parent’s personal observations.
- How would you describe Gunnar’s one-of-a-kind personality at 16.5 in just a few words?
Gentle, cuddly, loyal, and quietly hilarious.
2. What’s a quirky habit or trait of Gunnar’s that’s so “him” it always makes you smile?
In the last few years, he’s started pronking—bouncing like a little deer whenever he’s off leash. We’re not sure where it came from, but the joy on his face when he does it is pure magic.
3. At 16.5, how does Gunnar spend his days—got a favorite spot or routine he loves?
He spends most of his day snoozing—but I like to think he’s earned it! He’s the only dog in the house who gets to sleep on any bed he wants, and he fully takes advantage of that VIP status moving from bed to bed throughout the day.
4. How does Gunnar get along with other pets or people at home—what’s his special way of connecting?
Gunnar loves everyone—he’s lived with a kitten and had numerous dog siblings over the years. He is kind and playful; somehow, he has everyone—humans included—wrapped around his little paws. Our two other (very large) dogs will sometimes growl if another dog gets too close to their food bowls, but both let Gunnar walk right up and start eating out of them.
5. Gunnar’s been on Leap Years® for a year now—how amazing! What changes have you seen in his vitality or overall health during that time?
It’s been great — he used to spend a lot of time wandering around the house and it seemed like he wasn’t quite sure why he was where he was — now he seems much more active and aware of everything going on around him.
6. Looking back, what’s been the toughest challenge you and Gunnar faced together, and how did it make your bond stronger?
The toughest challenge has really been the journey itself. We’ve navigated all of life’s changes together —moves, new jobs, heartbreaks, and fresh starts. Through it all, Gunnar has been my steady, constant companion. His quiet presence and unwavering love have made every challenge feel a little lighter and our bond that much stronger. No matter what, I always have his little face to come home to.
7. What’s a big moment or memory with Gunnar that shows off his amazing spirit?
He LOVES running and being off leash — and we are quite lucky to have a lot of trails near where we live. He’s gone so fast sometimes that we have to run to catch up with him — he will always be waiting there for us with the biggest smile and a look on his face like “hurry up guys – there is more to explore!!”
8. How has having Gunnar in your life changed you?
He’s taught me to slow down, stay present, and appreciate the simple things. Now that he’s older, we spend a lot of time at the park just taking in all the smells, sounds and sunshine.
9. What’s one surprising or deep lesson Gunnar’s taught you over the years?
Dogs live in the present — there is nothing so big it’s worth getting stressed over.
10. Do you and Gunnar have a daily ritual or moment that feels special and brings you closer?
Every day, I give him his thyroid medication—he’s been on it for over 15 years, and yet 50% of the time, he’s still suspicious of why I’m trying to give him a treat. He’ll often spit it out, and then it turns into a little game of me chasing him around the kitchen while he plays “let’s pretend I’m not going to take it.”
🙈 It’s a quirky ritual, but it’s ours—and it always makes me smile.
11. Has Gunnar ever done something so brave or clever it left you amazed?
We have an expression in our house “Brave like Gunnar” — there is nothing the little guy is afraid of. He still occasionally jumps off the back of the couch and will run directly up to any size dog and (with a bit of help) jumps into the back of the car. If dogs could sky dive I’m sure he would.
12. In one heartfelt sentence, how would you sum up your bond with Gunnar?
Everyone says I should’ve named him Shadow because he’s always right by my side—and after 16 years together if we are ever apart it really feels like a part of me is missing.
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